JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Use Of English 2015
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2015 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: The meeting was "cancelled" because of the convocation.

A. brought up
B. allied of
C. broke off
D. dropped out
Explanation

"Cancelled" means to stop or call off, so "broke off" is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of halting the meeting.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: Can you "give a good explanation" for your behavior?

A. account for
B. call for
C. clear up
D. make up
Explanation

"Give a good explanation" means to justify or explain, so "account for" is the closest, fitting the context of explaining behavior.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: Thousands of students "are candidates for" the examination, but only very few pass.

A. come into
B. call for
C. go into
D. enter for
Explanation

"Are candidates for" means to register or apply for, so "enter for" is the closest, fitting the context of taking an examination.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: Osyaku "started playing" football because he thought it would develop him physically.

A. took up football
B. picked up football
C. returned football
D. took up with football
Explanation

"Started playing" means to begin an activity, so "took up football" is the closest, fitting the context of starting football for physical development.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: "For all he cared", the game was as good as lost.

A. He did not care if the game was lost
B. He could not care less if the game was lost
C. He was almost certain that the game would be lost
D. He was afraid the game would be lost
Explanation

"For all he cared" implies an expectation, and "as good as lost" means nearly certain to lose, so "He was almost certain that the game would be lost" fits.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: In their desire to impress their friends and relatives, many young workers "bite off more than they can chew" in terms of financial obligations.

A. have more money than sense
B. eat more than they can digest properly
C. spend too much money on food
D. take on more responsibility than they can afford
Explanation

"Bite off more than they can chew" means to take on more than one can handle, so "take on more responsibility than they can afford" fits the context of financial obligations.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the word opposite in meaning to the underlined: The long straight trunk of the tree is "ideal" for roundwood used like railway sleepers, rafters, and fence posts.

A. best
B. perfect
C. most unsuitable
D. satisfactory
Explanation

"Ideal" means perfectly suitable, so the opposite is "most unsuitable", fitting the context of the tree’s use.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: My uncle told me, 'I have a large house, and you are welcome to the protection it offers'. My uncle told me that ......

A. he had a large house, and you are welcome to the protection it offers
B. he have a large house, and I was welcome to the protection it offered
C. had a large house, and he was welcomed to the protection it offers
D. he had a large house, and I was welcome to the protection it offered
Explanation

In reported speech, 'I have' becomes 'he had', and 'you are' becomes 'I was', so "he had a large house, and I was welcome to the protection it offered" fits.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: The student who went home without an exit has apologized .... his misconduct.

A. on
B. at
C. to
D. for
Explanation

"Apologized for" is the correct preposition for expressing regret over an action, fitting the context of misconduct.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: What do you want me to do now? I'm .... withdrawing and keeping quiet.

A. for
B. with
C. up
D. off
Explanation

"I'm up" implies being ready or inclined in this informal context, fitting best for deciding on withdrawing and keeping quiet.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: John arrived at the airport on time, but he could not get .... the plane.

A. into
B. on
C. in
D. to enter
Explanation

"Get on the plane" is the correct phrase for boarding, fitting the context.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: I have not seen my housemaster .... the beginning of this session.

A. from
B. in
C. for
D. since
Explanation

"Since the beginning" indicates a starting point in time, fitting the context of not seeing the housemaster.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: The most stupid boy in the class passed the examination contrary .... the expectation of others.

A. upon
B. from
C. on
D. to
Explanation

"Contrary to" is the correct phrase for going against expectations, fitting the context.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: She wounded the man .... the back with her knitting needle.

A. on
B. in
C. at
D. by
Explanation

"In the back" is the correct phrase for the location of the wound, fitting the context.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: There is no doubt that every lady takes great pride .... her appearance.

A. with
B. in
C. at
D. on
Explanation

"Takes great pride in" is the correct phrase for being proud of something, fitting the context of appearance.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: 'Have you given the patient his medicine?' The doctor asked the nurse ....

A. if you had given the patient his medicine
B. had you given the patient his medicine
C. have you given the patient his medicine
D. if she had given the patient his medicine
Explanation

In reported speech, the doctor (he) asks the nurse (she), so "if she had given the patient his medicine" fits with the correct pronoun and tense shift.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: I was seriously disappointed when the .... between the two teams ended in a goalless draw.

A. march
B. marsch
C. match
D. mash
Explanation

"Match" is the correct term for a sports game, fitting the context of a goalless draw.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Shall I make the cheque .... you or to your firm?

A. in for
B. up with
C. in with
D. out to
Explanation

"Make the cheque out to" is the correct phrase for issuing a cheque, fitting the context.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: .... the main points of the lectures given by the Director of the institute.

A. Those were
B. That was
C. There were
D. This was
Explanation

"There were" introduces the existence of multiple main points, fitting the context of summarizing lectures.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: If only I ...... insured! But I wasn't. Now I have to pay a lot of money.

A. am
B. have been
C. had been
D. would be
Explanation

"If only I had been insured" uses the past perfect for a past regret, fitting the context of an unreal past situation.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: The young man looked carefully at the long document, but he couldn't make .... what it meant.

A. up
B. out
C. off
D. through
Explanation

"Make out" means to understand, fitting the context of deciphering the document's meaning.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: The government suffered a .... when they lost two by-elections.

A. check
B. set-back
C. hindrance
D. disturbance
Explanation

"Set-back" means a reversal or defeat, fitting the context of losing elections.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: The driver of that lorry .... lost his life during the collision.

A. barely
B. hardly
C. nearly
D. closely
Explanation

"Nearly lost his life" means almost died, fitting the context of a severe collision.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Wherever the leader went, people struggled to catch a .... of him.

A. look
B. view
C. glimpse
D. portrait
Explanation

"Catch a glimpse" means to briefly see, fitting the context of struggling to see the leader.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Mrs. Okoro .... in this school since 1975.

A. taught
B. is teaching
C. was teaching
D. has been teaching
Explanation

"Has been teaching since 1975" indicates an ongoing action from the past to the present, fitting the context.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Paulina arrived late; she ...... the right route.

A. cannot have taken
B. could not have taking
C. cannot take
D. could not have taken
Explanation

"Could not have taken" indicates a past impossibility, fitting the context of arriving late due to a wrong route.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: It was a funny episode, so I ......

A. can’t help to laugh
B. couldn’t help laugh
C. couldn’t help laughing
D. couldn’t help to laugh
Explanation

"Couldn’t help laughing" uses the gerund after "couldn’t help", fitting the context of an involuntary reaction to humor.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Evelyn: I've submitted eight copies. Joseph: You .... eight. Three would have been enough.

A. can't have submitted
B. couldn't have submitted
C. didn't need to submit
D. needn't have submitted
Explanation

"Needn't have submitted" means it was unnecessary to submit eight copies, fitting the context of excess action.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: The market women ... profit ranges from thirty to fifty percent are making .... difficult for the ordinary people.

A. for who/to live
B. for whom/lives
C. by whose/living
D. whose/life
Explanation

"Whose profit ranges" identifies the women, and "making life difficult" fits the context of the impact on ordinary people.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Someone .... the radio cassette since 6 p.m. I wish he .... turn it off.

A. has been playing/would
B. is playing/would
C. played/will
D. has played/should
Explanation

"Has been playing since 6 p.m." indicates a continuous action, and "I wish he would turn it off" expresses a desire for change, fitting the context.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: If the armed robbers ... caught, they would have been lynched.

A. would be
B. have been
C. are
D. had been
Explanation

"If the armed robbers had been caught" uses the third conditional for a past unreal situation, fitting the context of a hypothetical outcome.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Omeime was taking his dog for a walk when the dog suddenly .... from its chain and escaped.

A. broke through
B. broke loose
C. broke even
D. broke away
Explanation

"Broke loose" means to escape from restraint, fitting the context of the dog breaking free from its chain.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: I was still sleeping when the national news ... this morning.

A. were broadcast
B. were broadcasted
C. was broadcast
D. was broadcasted
Explanation

"News" is singular, and "was broadcast" is the correct past tense form (irregular verb), fitting the context of a morning broadcast.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Each of the contestants .... a chance to win.

A. has
B. have
C. get
D. gets
Explanation

"Each of the contestants" is singular, so "has" is the correct verb, fitting the context of having a chance.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Read the passage and answer the question: Urbanization is rapidly transforming cities worldwide, creating both opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. Growing populations in urban areas drive economic growth by concentrating resources and innovation. However, this expansion often leads to overcrowded housing, strained infrastructure, and increased pollution levels. Many cities struggle to provide adequate public services, such as clean water and sanitation, to their residents. Policymakers are exploring smart city technologies to address these issues efficiently. Traffic congestion is a significant problem in urban centers, impacting productivity and quality of life. Commuters spend hours daily in gridlock, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. What is one challenge of urbanization mentioned in the passage?

A. Increased economic growth
B. Traffic congestion
C. Improved public services
D. Enhanced innovation
Explanation

The passage identifies traffic congestion as a significant problem in urban centers, impacting productivity and quality of life, making option B the correct answer.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: The politician’s speech was so vague that it left the audience ....

A. enlightened
B. confused
C. motivated
D. amused
Explanation

A vague speech lacks clarity, so "confused" best describes the audience’s reaction.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the word opposite in meaning to the underlined: His decision to resign was a "bold" move.

A. courageous
B. timid
C. confident
D. reckless
Explanation

"Bold" means courageous or daring, so the opposite is "timid", meaning lacking courage.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined: The teacher’s instructions were "explicit", leaving no room for confusion.

A. vague
B. clear
C. complex
D. brief
Explanation

"Explicit" means clearly stated, so "clear" is the closest in meaning, fitting the context of unambiguous instructions.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Select the one which most appropriately completes the sentence: Neither the manager nor his assistants .... available for the meeting.

A. was
B. were
C. is
D. are
Explanation

The subject 'neither the manager nor his assistants' is plural, so "were" is the correct verb for past tense.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Use Of English · 2015

Choose the expression which best completes the sentence: By the time the guests arrive, we .... the decorations.

A. will have finished
B. will finish
C. have finished
D. had finished
Explanation

"Will have finished" is future perfect tense, indicating completion before the guests arrive, fitting the context.

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